Earn a Master's Degree in Explosives Technology

Missouri S&T’s M.S. degree in explosives technology is unique and offers specialized training in the use of explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics for students without undergraduate education in engineering or physical sciences.

The degree allows such students to advance their careers. Students have exclusive research opportunities in world-class facilities, including the S&T Energetics Research Facility (ERF) and Experimental Mine. 

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Degree Information

Mining and explosives engineering offers a Master's degree with a thesis option in explosives technology for on-campus, research-based students and a non-thesis option by coursework for distance and campus students. The program requires four core courses and relevant elective courses you can select in consultation with your advisor.

For more information, check out the university catalog:

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The M.S. degree with thesis option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours including the required research (Exp Eng 6099) for the thesis. The program also requires students to successfully complete and defend a research thesis. We encourage students to take courses in other disciplines that fit their research and career interests.

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The M.S. degree without thesis requires the completion of 30 hours of graduate coursework. A student replaces the six hours of research with course work, which may include an explosives-related cooperative work experience (EXP ENG 6070) or industry project (EXP ENG 6080) with an established company or government agency that commonly uses explosives, plus an additional explosives course. 

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What Students Say About S&T

Jay Schafler portrait he is smiling and looking towards camera wearing a Saint Louis Blues polo shirt he is up against a blank wall.

The hands-on knowledge and experience in energetics safety, research, manufacturing and application gained at Missouri University of Science and Technology give me a distinct advantage in my career with Northrop Grumman Corp. Within the Launch and Missile Defense Systems group, I lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers and skilled labor to manufacture solid fuel rocket motors for commercial and defense applications. Every day, I use the education and skills learned while earning my master's degree in explosives engineering to keep my team members safe and manage the financial, logistical and technical aspects of producing aerospace-quality energetics products.

— Jay Schafler 

Research in Explosives Technology

The United States recognizes the increasing importance of securing the supply chain for explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics because of their importance to industry and national defense. Explosives engineering faculty and students conduct research related to energetic materials, including explosives hazards and effective manufacture, transport, use and storage of explosives using experimental testing and numerical simulation. This research includes traumatic brain injury, rock blasting, structural response to blasts, effects of explosively formed projectiles (EFPs), shock physics and many other areas.

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Your Career in Explosives Technology

Explosives engineers can choose from a variety of exciting careers, including research and development, testing, safety, production, field technical service, marketing, and teaching.

Explosives engineers work for national laboratories, universities, companies that develop and supply personal protective equipment, defense contractors, blasting & explosives companies, heavy civil construction companies, and many more.

 

Starting Salary

Average entry salary for S&T graduates with an explosives engineering/technology degree is $131,500

 

Career Paths

  •  Researchers (both government and private companies)
  •  Technical services engineers with explosives and blasting companies
  •  Engineers with consulting firms
  •  Law enforcement

 

Explosives Engineers Work With:

  • Universities
  • National Laboratories
  • Law enforcement agencies
  • Consulting companies

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